Asbestos In Residential Attics

In homes built prior to 1975 asbestos is most commonly found as thermal insulation on basement boilers and pipes.

Asbestos in residential attics.

There is one primary source of asbestos attic insulation. For decades asbestos was used during the construction of residential homes for its durability ability to resist fire and high temperatures and excellent insulation properties. Older brakes and foreign made brakes may contain asbestos. There are other sources of asbestos in attic insulation but this single source significantly outpaces the others the primary source of asbestos attic insulation is from a specific mine in montana operated for 70 years by the libby company according to the environmental protection agency.

Insulation heating ducts ceilings especially popcorn ceilings vinyl flooring roofing drywall and plaster are just a few examples of common asbestos containing materials in older buildings. In those rare cases the asbestos containing materials used for insulation were manufactured for some other purpose. It was likely brought home from work at a factory or salvaged from some other type of building. Although asbestos is no longer widely used in construction it is still present in many rental properties built before 1981.

But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. Common exposure scenarios attic renovation. The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite.

Unfortunately it can also be found in a myriad of other household materials including. Get residential commercial encapsulation cleanup disposal estimates. Other places you might find asbestos are. Attic insulation in older homes may contain asbestos that could fall through ceiling cracks.

Brake dust in home garage. There are many different kinds of wool like insulation that are man made and do not have asbestos but if your attic insulation looks like wool than it is best to be safe and have it tested by a professional. Floor tiles ceiling tiles vermiculite insulation in attics and walls roofing and siding artificial ashes and embers in gas fireplaces textured paint and patching compounds banned in 1977. Homeadvisor s asbestos removal cost guide gives average abatement prices per sq ft in ceiling or floor tiles vermiculite attic insulation roofs ducts pipes or drywall.

One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. Other than vermiculite it s actually quite rare to find thermal insulation in residential attics that contains asbestos. Ralph loves working on his 1965.